Skyy Tastelessly Tries To Capitalize On Absolut’s Mexican Gaffe

By consumeristcareyApril 12, 2008

Skyy vodka issued a crass press release declaring their support for the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in response to an ad from rival Absolut that featured pre-Mexican-American War borders. We had no problem with the ad. We put up a poll. A majority of you had no problem with the ad. Not Skyy, though! They’re drunk with outrage and felt compelled to “[decry] Absolut vodka’s suggestion to redraw North [America’s] map.”

From the press release:

Today, SKYY® Vodka, the number-one vodka produced in the United States, spoke out against suggestions by Absolut® Vodka to disregard [the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo,] as well as the joining of Texas to the Union in 1845, as depicted in Absolut’s recent advertising.

“Like SKYY Vodka, the residents of states like California, Texas and Arizona are exceptionally proud of the fact that they are from the United States of America,” said Dave Karraker, SKYY Vodka. “To imply that they might be interested in changing their mailing addresses, as our competitor seems to be suggesting in their advertising, is a bit presumptuous.”

Presumptuous, eh? Like assuming your press release won’t be picked up in Mexico? What are you saying to our southern friends? That you love their constrained borders and vastly inferior military? Yeah, that’ll go over well.

We’re not going to link to Skyy’s full press release and further promote their PR drivel. We already feel plenty dirty having stood in the center of their messy PR circle jerk.

“SKYY Vodka would also like to make clear that all of the equally strong ‘suggestions’ in our own advertisements are absolutely 100% backed by rock-solid empirical evidence. That’s right – hot airbrushed chicks WILL IMMEDIATELY BE YOURS if you partake of our particular flavorless mixture of alcohol and water.”

Good for Skyy! Why is it okay for Absolut to go for shameless and controversial ads but it’s not ok for Skyy to respond? It’s okay for Absolut to pander to people who believe in open borders, yet Skyy is “drunk on outrage” and “presumptious” by responding with an accurate lesson in history?

Those nitwits at Absolut had this coming, Skyy is just saying what 80% of America is thinking, and they will make a buck from it.

“What are you saying to our southern friends? That you love their constrained borders and vastly inferior military”

Well, I thought that this was a consumer blog, but what the heck, lets get into the politics right!

What we are saying to out Southern friends is that you have, oh God forbid I say it, borders!

Now constrained borders WTF does that mean? That they don’t own America? News flash: every country has constrained boarders. Maybe we should talk about Israel’s contrained boarders if you want to get into it. Israel is being being occupied by Palestine in the West Bank, they have the right to that land.

Its an argument that cuts both ways huh?

And about America’s superior military compared to Mexico, yes, our military is far superior, but what did that even have to do with the ad or the press release?

All in all, I give this article a .5 out of 10, simply because its illogical and simply someone’s excuse to push a Liberal talking point on a (supposedly) apolitical blog.

People hate MSNBC and Fox because they say they hide their bias. It seems like we can add the Consumerist to that category.

To the management of Consumerist: Please either admit your bias, or try and become moderate.

@jefffromNY:Let me try to clarify. Consumerist is biased to left when it comes to consumer issues. If you read the faq, it states that articles which are anti-corporate are preferred. On the weekends, there is the added flavor of political leftist opinion. This and the earlier article about the Absolut ad are examples. It is up to moderates and conservatives to speak up. I hope that helps.

Skyy is just pandering to anti-immigration activists. There were a lot of effects beyond “changing mailing addresses” for the residents of those now-states, and anyone with half a clue about history is aware of that.

Guess they don’t want to sell Skyy in Mexico. Or to me, since I have half a clue about history.

@ClayS: Yeah, sort of, but the thing is that this isn’t anti-corporate – well it kind of is, but the gist of this article is that somehow America is a bully for having borders and military.

And SKYY laughed at their competition’s massive gaffe.

OK, maybe you could fault SKYY for advertising period, but then you would have to decry Absolut because they advertise.

Somewhere this doesn’t add up. Absolut runs an anti-American pro-reconquista ad, and they are practically lauded for their effort. SKYY doesn’t even create an ad, its just press release and suddenly they are wrong. But that isn’t really my problem like I said (I am just pointing out a flaw in logic).

My real problem is this:
“What are you saying to our southern friends? That you love their constrained borders and vastly inferior military? “

LOL at Absolut ad being “a gaffe” and then Skyy’s press release is “tasteless,” “drivel,” and part of a “circle jerk.”

At least we found that you aren’t anti-multi-billion-dollar-corporation when it comes Pernod. And for some reason you love the Pernod marketing flacks.

In summary:

Market in a way that upsets large segements of Americans but pleases smirking urbanites in NY, LA, & SF: Good marketing

Market toward a large segment of Americans with a miniscule risk of impacting a small market segment in Mexico: Bad marketing

Standard disclaimers apply:
This is just my snarky opinion. You’re entitled to your views, your corporation owns the blog, it’s your property, I don’t pay your salary, you have to answer to the Gawker media empire and not the readers, etc.

@jefffromNY: Interestingly, Mexico is far more protective of their borders than are we.

And I have no problem with letting Mexicans in, but let’s do it legally and above board. We need to know who is here. If we need to, let’s raise immigration quotas and welcome the people that want to come here to work and earn an honest living.

I only drink potato vodkas, but Hurray For Skyy. Clearly its distilled for (apologies to Ace of Spades), “Skyy is distilled for Rural Pennsylvanians You Corncob-Smokin’, Banjo-Strokin’ Chicken-Chokin’ Cousin-Pokin’ Inbred Hillbilly Racist Morons.” So sayeth Obama’s PR hacks. Long live the Reconquista!

Fail.

Really, I generally appreciate the heck out of Consumerist, but you’re dead wrong on this one. And the tediously PC snark and tone of this ‘report’ reveals more than a touch of racism and general ignorance.

Let’s separate the politics from the advertising. I could care less about the political aspect. I wrote the post because I’m amused by Skyy’s hypocrisy.

You have two companies competing in a global market. Absolut’s ad tried to appeal to Mexican pride and pissed off Americans. Skyy is trying to slam Absolut, which I can’t help but read as an implied knock against Mexicans.

The opportunism strikes me as crass. I seldom find anything offensive don’t really care who’s offended by what, but assuming the first ad was offensive, why is it ok to placate Americans with something that might be offensive to Mexicans? That’s hypocrisy.

This would have nothing to do with your advertiser relationship with Absolut would it?

Figures Consumerist would have its own brand of self-hatred.

Boo on Consumerist.

First you denounce the legal and moral rights of Wal-Mart to recover the duplicative payments on a single injury, then you denounce Skyy was rightly denouncing the asinine and archaic notions of Atzlan.

Implied knock against Mexicans? Are you really that daft? Because a company comes out and denounces an ad that shows part of the United States as Mexico and insinuates that it would be more of a perfect world is not knocking Mexicans?

What if Absolut was marketing in Palestine, and showed Israel still as Palestine, and headlined “It An Absolut World”.

Skyy has just proven they are opportunistic, classless boobs with NO sense of humor.
And considering their marketing seems to aim for the progressive side instead of the Freeper red-meat one, it seems VERY stupid on their part.

I’d MUCH rather buy from a company that tries a funny that doesn’t work (although, I thought it was HELLA funny) and one that sounds like a racist grandpa yelling, “Kids, get off my LAWN!”

And again, to the slow thinkers: Americans have no business dictating which ads other countries can view.
Or, should Mexico, China, etc., have veto rights on any ads that air in the US? Perhaps call in the UN?
Which might not be so bad, considering the fact that they aren’t filled with the righteous, humorless self-importance that some Americans obviously have.

@Trai_Dep: Americans are voicing their opinions on the content of these ads. And yes, Mexico and China have those same rights as well. America is full of foreign lobbyists seeking to influence everything from government policy to US public opinion and we Americans give them that freedom. I’m sure we and most other countries cannot do the same in China.

Just as you have the right to your sense of humor and to express indignation, so do others that may have a different opinion.

@Carey: Well said, Carey.
It’s wryly amusing that with ALL the problems that are unfolding that impact Americans, the blue-haired FREEPER grumps focus on this of all things.
Simple fact is that Skyy sidled up with these sad, unsexy teetotaling them over, well, glamorous, youthful, sexy us. Not a smart segmenting choice.

@ClayS: …a “controversy” manufactured by the right-wing, hot-air machine.
The same machine that got us into Iraq and created a regulatory (or lack thereof) that allowed poisoned toys, food, medicine, pet food AND fueled multi-trillion dollar deficits that children yet unborn will be paying for.
Now, they’re upset about a freaken tongue-in-cheek ad appearing in a local market. I don’t blame them – it’s their nature. The idiots that are so easily distracted from important things? Hate America. Pure and simple.

@Trai_Dep: Do you live in the US? If so, you can leave now – don’t let the door hit you in the ass. Could you imagine if Absolut put out an ad in the same context about China/Tibet borders? What about Palestine/Israel? It was tasteless and offensive because of the general premise not necessarily because Americans are trying to dictate what ads others should view.

On a lighter note I’m glad Skyy responded in this nature. Its no different than a political figure criticizing another’s comments.

Annnd lastly let’s try and keep the political banter on the Consumerist down to a minimum.

This is the first article that has almost made me take the Consumerist off my RSS (and therefore keep me off this site). Yes I am one person, but you make money every time I come here.

Carey, I find it ever so strange that you tell us to drop the political aspect, when you made it that. We only comment on what we see, you brought a far-leftist (very very far) point of view that America is somehow guilty for being an awesome country with borders.

I will drop it, but if you expect to not lose readers when you talk politics and tell us not to you are wrong.

* Cite your “reputable” disinterested polls.
* Since the issue is Mexican ad, explain how it’s not the USA laughable, hypocritically trying to dictate another country’s media content.
* Since your panties are in a bunch over this issue rather than the dozens of real ones facing this country, explain why you hate America so.
* Judging from your profile, you’re prime material for Standing for Freedom in Iraq. Why haven’t you enlisted in the military? Since I’d bet that you were one of those chomping at the bit to start it.
No? That’s hypocrisy, my America-hating friend…

“Presumptuous, eh? Like assuming your press release won’t be picked up in Mexico?”

Actually, since the press release is directly referencing a factual, existing treaty that Mexico and the United States have then there should be no problem with it anywhere in the world.

The Absolut ad suggested a perfect world where the treaty didn’t happen, and perhaps there might have been even more bloodshed to get the borders to look today like they did at that point in the conflict.

@Trai_Dep:
Pointing to a spelling error as support as ignorance is disingenuous at best.

To give you some historical perspective.
The PRC ,Peoples Republic of China, Lays claim to Taiwan as a part of their country.

The people of Taiwan often hold while they are Chinese as a people that they are not a rogue section of China but a separate nation.

The history is quite complex but after the imperial Japanese were defeated in China the standing government was greatly weakened bu the war. Communist sentiment was high at the time and a revolutionary movement was started. The established government being substantially weakened by Japanese rule fled to the island of Taiwan after a string of military and policy defeats.

The official government of the main land was listed os Taiwan for many years after PRC was the defacto government.

Taiwan no longer claims to be the legitimate of the main land but main land China claims Taiwan. China frequently threatens Taiwan with military force while alternating between demanding unification of the island nation.

Often the offers are met with consideration by the people of Taiwan. The oppressive rule of the PRC in Tibet is a frequently sited argument against unification at this time due to fears that the same will happen to them.

This is not totally founded but Taiwan has largely given up on han,wai,wu etc distinctions and may be in a for a bit of a racist shock when such a unification happens.

So I was pointing out with my analogy that it would be a horrible move to list Taiwan as part of the peoples Republic of China.

But really thanks for boiling a complex argument down to a spelling error. It make you look classy as you are.

Whoa, talk about missing the point. Twice.
I gave a pass on the typo/misspelling. We’re bigger than that, right?
But suggesting that Taiwan isn’t a free country, NOW, is remarkable. Those guys have done more, and face more, and face it more bravely, than most democracies on the planet.
To be unaware of this – to not be floored with admiration of the fine example they set – seems ill-informed.That is the ignorance I was referring to.

Comparing Taiwan’s history to one instance of snarky ad copy created solely for the Mexican market seems tawdry and insulting to their bravery.

Likewise, Absolute would never run a PRC- or Imperial Japan-dominated Pacific map. For the simple reason that it’s not funny or ironic. But you guys are too uptight to be able to see the difference.

Being from Mexico, living in Texas, and being married to a white American woman, I’m in the unique postion of saying that Absolut’s ad was funny and only meant as joke like the many “a woman’s world” or “it’s a man’s world” or many other “what if” ads.

The sentiments of Skyy and the people who fell so insulted by Absolut’s ad only reveal similarities between the US and other countries we love to criticize, like China or Israel. We believe it’s OK for us to protest and criticize Israel’s growth and occupation or China’s grip on Tibet but when someone makes a joke about the good ol’ US of A, all hell breaks loose.

The great majority of Mexicans couldn’t be less interested in what country Texas, California, etc are in.

I don’t know if it might be a poor command of the English language, or your assistance in still utilizing strawman argument techniques, even though I have already pointed out your intellectual deficiency in that regard…but America ISN’T trying to dictate anything. There hasn’t been any legislation passed, there haven’t been any diplomatic envoys sent overseas to deal with this matter. At most, individuals have held a company accountable, with their spending dollars, for their actions in another country. Since that company (Absolut) also solicits business here, it is well within the bounds of reasonableness to hold them accountable for their actions overseas as well. I’m sorry if your anti-capatalist fascist mindset conjures up such rage at the prospect of Americans voting with their dollar and/or denouncing the actions of a company that solicits business here as well.

My panties aren’t in a bunch about this issue, but obviously yours is. In fact, you were the one that used this issue as a platform to push forth your tiresome and unoriginal rhetoric.

And how did you gather all of that from my profile? All of a sudden I am pro-Iraq war? All of a sudden I didn’t enlist in the military?

What in the world are you blathering about? More strawman argument techniques. Since your argument has no substance, you just conjure up an alternate reality, make assumptions, and then attack those fallacious notions.

The funny thing is, you do your own stance a disservice by showing your ignorance. Look at the way you act? Look at the way you attack people. It just goes to show people how you really are.

And no, I don’t hate America, but I do hate dimwits like you that can’t argue substantively, so they just utilize rhetorical terrorism.

I think you are purposely blinding yourself to a very relevant fact regarding this issue – the push for Atzlan is very real This is not something that is derived mainly from jest. The movement for the recolonization of south western US, and the reclaiming of Atzlan is very real. America saw this most recently in the may day demonstrations around the US from the multitude of Hispanic and Latin groups that held signs up proclaiming their intent to retake the homeland of the Nahua peoples. This isn’t some crazy, nonsensical ad with no basis in reality…Absolut was trying to tap into their nationalistic pride by tapping into this movement.

Also, have you lived in Taiwan, or are you speaking merely out of conjecture? I lived in Taiwan, and it is nothing like how you describe it, and the mistruths that you purvey regarding their status as a sovereign nation also needs a bit of edification I believe because you are way off base, and obviously don’t understand the political and diplomatic realities.

If I were you, I would spend less time reading dailykos and starting political arguments where they don’t belong, and read a book or two. Hell, maybe visit a country or two that you pretend to be acquainted with.

I’m not going to express my opinion about the ads. As a guy working in marketing I already know that playing with people’s feelings is sometimes the best way to sell a product. This case is not exeption. Skyy and Absolut are having a great time having free publicity for their products ignited for a silly ad and a silly press release.

What really worries me is how are some people reacting to both. As far as I can see and understand, the good ol’ U.S. is quietly resembling the good ol’ Germany of the 30’s and 40’s. And you know what I mean. You’re just looking like an american and modern version of the nazi affairs and doctrine.

Yes, I understand the U.S. must defend it’s soveirgnity and soil. Yes, I agree you MUST enforce your physical borders and immigration laws. Yes, I also understand that you’re owners of your country and can do whatever you please with it and if that means getting immigrants from Mexico or somewehere else out, you’re free to do that and it’s within your rights and obligations.

What I don’t understand it’s your hipocresy and irrational hate of late times. And many comments here in the Consumerist and around the net are overflowing with hate and rage.

You’re upset about an silly ad, but you don’t say anything when the world reminds you that you illegaly invaded Afghanistan, Iraq and some territories in Somalia. You also seem to forgot how much damage your past administrations have done in South America (Panama, Chile…) and also you seem to totally be ignorant aboout the fact your CIA has been putting it’s nose and dirty fingers everywhere since many decades ago. And also it looks to me that you’re totally blind to how your own society is suffering in aspects that range from the economy ones -subprime meltdown anyone?- to the social ones -school shootings, social polarization-.

You’re afraid of terrorism and conmdemn it, but, may I remind you of Vietnam? You condemn the extreme regimes of China, Venezuela, and Cuba and while I agree with you, you don’t look yourself at the mirror and see how democracy failed in your own house some years ago and all the crimes your country has made in the name of freedom -Abu Gharib, Guantanamo Bay- democracy and peace. How come you also forgot your original roots -History tells that WASP’s are not native from this continent and that the U.S. were founded by immigrants from all around the globe- and all the ideals and feelings behind your constitution?

I’m saying all this not because I hate the U.S. or have anti-american feeling (I have family, friends, business partners, and other interests there). I don’t condemn anything you’ve made in the past or are going to make in the future. I simpatize with you in many ways and aspects. And as I’ve told, I totally agree to your immigration laws and to the enforcing of your boders. But, because all that, it’s hard for me to turn my eyes away from what are you becoming. How are you reacting to this silly things (damn, after all they are just two f***ing spirits companies making sales with BS) and how the hate and intolerance are hanging from your tongues and fingers. And how, after all, your giving those opposing your country and hating your people the reason on all what they say. It’s sad how the american dream, the symbols of peace and freedom, and the U.S. image of being the strong but fair leader, the goodmaker, the good titan are quietly washing from the eyes of those who still have faith on you… including me…

Sorry for the long comment and you may skip it freely if you want. Just wanted to express my 0.2 cents about this.

Skyy’s reply to Absolut’s ad was fine. Hey, if Absolut can dish it out, they better be able to take it. I thought the original Absolut add *was* tasteless, although I didn’t add my comment then because I really didn’t care all that much about it and it didn’t seem anything worth getting worked up about it.

But if one company is going to make a rather tasteless ad, then what’s wrong with another one countering it?

And if, as some people have suggested, the Absolute ad was just a lighthearted joke, then you can treat the Skyy one the same way.

All the ballyhoo about either add seems like a tempest in a teapot to me.

Let me repeat the ‘PR drivel’ here because a) it is relevent to the article and b) its humorous and c)A lot of us need a refresher on the history of the war.

n 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo officially ended the Mexican-America War (1846-1848). With the signing of this treaty, the United States gained control of what was to become the Golden West, including California, Arizona, Utah, Nevada and parts of Colorado and New Mexico. Today, SKYYÂ® Vodka, the number-one vodka produced in the United States, spoke out against suggestions by AbsolutÂ® Vodka to disregard that treaty, as well as the joining of Texas to the Union in 1845, as depicted in Absolut’s recent advertising.

“Like SKYY Vodka, the residents of states like California, Texas and Arizona are exceptionally proud of the fact that they are from the United States of America,” said Dave Karraker, SKYY Vodka. “To imply that they might be interested in changing their mailing addresses, as our competitor seems to be suggesting in their advertising, is a bit presumptuous.”

In the ad, an “Absolut World” is depicted where the map of North America is re-drawn with Mexico claiming much of the Western United States, negating the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, as well as the Gadsden Purchase (1853), and the independence of Texas (1836).

“Don’t get me started on the Gadsden Purchase,” continues Karraker. “I think the folks in Tucson and Yuma would be rubbed the wrong way if they hear this landmark deal was somehow nullified as suggested by Absolut, a Swedish-owned brand.”

@etc: You know, I used to write like you. I really did. Until my comp teacher beat that bloated, purple prose out of me in the eleventh grade. Perhaps more composition and less debate class your second pass?
You seem to be missing the points I’ve drawn out, or think that sophomoric rhetoric adequately displaces reasoned exchanges of opinion.
Our conversation’s jumped the shark, in other words.

Still haven’t addressed your hypocrisy issue. Were you for Fiasco? If so, why are you letting other people braver and more patriotic than yourself – 4,000 and counting – to die in your stead? Why haven’t you done your part?

Man, after reading all that commentary, I feel the need to toast the proud men and…well, mostly if not all men who fought in the Mexican-American War. If only we could think of something to use for such a toast. A nice clear spirit of some sort would suffice.

Oh, and, we won the damn war, so we get to write press releases like this.

How did this go from this advertisement, to your political agenda, to your attacking me about some supposed support for the war, to you questioning my patriotism and whether or not I served in the armed forces?

Trai? Is your argument really so weak that you have to take the tangential personal route of attack? Were strawman tactics not good enough for you? You had to move further up the rhetorical terrorism totem pole?

Get a life Trai, or at least a decent argument…because this personal attack garbage is getting mighty old, and is just indicative of your character.

So keep referring to some supposed points in the abstract. Keep ignoring me pointing out your overt subversion tactics. You’re far more transparent of your intellectual dishonesty than you might believe. Keep up the good work though!

@Seph: Thanks for posting from the heart. I run across this a lot when I travel – people really want to love America, what its ideals stand for, what formed out of the crucible of our revolt against autocratic empire so long ago. They look at what its become when led by a poseur, prancing faux-cowboy and shake their head and the vast opportunities that are lost.
All I can do is give a gentle reminder that we are a very large, diverse country. A nation that’s remarkably myopic and xenophobic considering its reach. One that sometimes loses its way, forgets who we are, what we can be and perhaps (a little) what an inspiration we strive to be in our finest hour.
Have patience. The greater America that you’re wistful for is still here – our people’s votes won one election (although not the one held by our activist Supreme Court) and damn near won the last. I’m optimistic that we’ll wake up. I’m fairly certain that this finest hour draws near.

With all due respect, don’t tell me you believe on that conspiracy theory as a threat? Are you serious? Do you really believe that Absolut is making some subliminal political activism instead of selling vodka? Jeez, man, that’s why stopped watching the X-Files…

I know that the “movement” kind of exists. It’s some kind of ideology that some mexican and southamerican leftists -most of them totally lost in a sea of inaccurate past facts and false present ideals IMHO- have. But they’re -Thank god- a little minority. They can say whatever they want, but, AFAIK, Mexico, most of mexican people are most worried with their daily lifes than to try to “recover” something they “lost” long time ago. They barely can handle their country as it is. Imagine to just have the thought to try to recover some damn territories of the past and then maintaining them… man, what a waste of life. Also, lets remember that you, the U.S., have the world’s most powerful army and a big deal of weapons. Do you think anyone in his/her five senses will try to invade you or do something like that? (Well, some islamic guys maybe, but hey, they don’t abide by the concept of being alive and having a life after all). I don’t see any mexicans trying to do that right now or in the future, IMHO.

In contrast with the above noted, there are many mexicans -or citizens with mexican roots- that are part of anti-immigration movements -i.e. Minutemen- and some of the most hard Border Patrol officers are well known to have some kind of mexican or latino roots.

With all due respect, -and aside all I respect your opinion-, if I were you I’ll be more worried about your president selling your country to the arabs of Saudi-Arabia than the guys from the “Reclamation of Aztlan” (catchy name for a rock band, isn’t it?). Halliburton moving to Dubai, big investments in the U.S. made by arabs, all the prerrogatives some arab indivuals and companies had before and after 11/9, etc., actually gives me the creeps and makes me wonder what the U.S. are getting into.

I think Mexico is your last problem now. You have some internal housekeeping to do in many aspects, from economy (I’m, for one, worried about the value of the dollar against the euro. It’s difficult to me to think in a world currency being another than the dollar), to social wellfare ones amd homeland security -immigration policies included, I agree with that. Just make them fair and send whoever it deserves it to their country- to worry about Mexico and other countries. Heck, make them well so all we other countries around the world can learn from you and not against you…

You are using my statement terribly out of context, and then worse yet, like Trai, using the words conveniently as a platform to spew more of your rhetoric, all the while surmising what my beliefs might be, and getting it painfully wrong in the process.

I never said that it was a credible threat, nor do I think that we should consider it a top priority whatsoever. But it exists, and this is precisely what Absolut was trying to tap into. Whether or not the movement is pragmatic or not has no bearing on the fact that the reclamation of atzlan is an underlying theme in Mexican nationalism.

People who try to characterize the original ad as just some liquor ad made in jest completely ignores the undercurrents of the movement itself, and the underlying meaning behind the ad. The ad was very political in nature. Absolut wanted to capitalize on Mexican nationalistic/Atzlan paradigm, and it might have been successful in that regard, however for Absolut not to have seen the ire of those that live within the sovereign borders of the country that was divided up in the ad is just plain out myopic. Absolut wanted their cake and eat it too, this time it didn’t happen.

I’m not going to address the other issues, although if you post your email we can continue it directly. There is a time and a place for everything, and both you and Trai have used this post as a soapbox for your own biases and rhetoric, and railroaded this discussion WAY off track.

There are plenty of places where you can share your political beliefs and world views, please don’t hijack Consumerist, like the OP (Carey) did to push forth your own personal agenda.

In my mind, there are more reasons to love the U.S. and worrying for its well-being than reasons to hate it. I really value all the effort you put to become the first power in the world. It was not free and it was not easy. And some aspects of it are still a lesson for other countries -including Europe- around the world. I also respect all the symbols and concepts behind your flag and your country. I also value all the great things and human minds you have gave to the world as well as giving us a well-received currency -the dollar- to make business around the world.

Because of that -and other obvious reasons- I worry when many of you guys react so badly to an innocent (sorry Etc., don’t want to understimate my mexican fellows, but I still can’t believe someone sane trying to recover “Aztlan”) ad. As I wrote before, I saw comments here and on some non-Gawaker blogs and forums that made me think about nazi-Germany. So much hate, so much rage. And all because of a bunch of ads -that got A LOT of free attention to those vodka brands at the expense of people feelings- that, in the case of Absolut, were not targeted to the U.S. and that many mexicans will pass by (Mexicans don’t need ads to drink alcohlic drinks, believe me) since they respect (at least the mid and high classes) their north neighbor.

I think we should turn the page on this incident and better worry about the image the world currently has of the U.S., it’s current social, economicy and political status, the price of the dollar, the recession, the subprime meltdown, the price of the oil, the dawn of new, cleaner technologies and energy sources, etc, or at least, since this is The Consumerist, how to avoid being screwed by corporate America.

First of all, thanks for taking your time to reply again. I’ll really appreciate that.

Second, sorry if I misunderstood your words. I’ll be glad to continue this discussion with you anywhere else, since, althought I may not agree with you, I can learn and enrich myself with your thoughts and opinions.

Just, want to make something clear before I go (and this is my last comment for this subject, promise).

I’m not a damn politician with an agenda and this is not rethoric, but just my personal opinion. It was never my intention to hijack The Consumerist or something like that (as you can see in my profile, I barely post a comment here).

As for you, I suggest to take life a little more light-hearted. There are not conspiracies, or poilitical affairs behind everything and everyone… I’m going to try to be as open minded as possible and ti understand your thoughts about the Absolut ad. Just, next time, try to be a little more respectful of other people’s thoughts and don’t try to disqualify them based on the same grounds and levels that politicians use.

Thanks again for reading me and replying to me, for your time invested on that, and again, I’ll be glad to discuss with you this and other subjects out from here.

You are missing my point. Drawing a map where many American states is equivalent of drawing a map of China with the ‘missing’ Taiwan province.

It also seems more than a bit weird that you pulled out Taiwan as an example of bravery and not the entirety of the rest of my list. Each of which corresponds to pivotal points in history.

Taiwan has endured hardships but many of them self inflicted. The tyrannical rule of Chang chi Check only looks good when compared to the genocidal policies of the PRC.

Peace and international boundaries are
always hard fought. I’m sure Poland and Germany are now good international partners. Even then no German would be foolish enough to make a similar ad that shows half of Poland as part of Germany.

Except Absolute would never draw a map that you describe in an ad because it wouldn’t be funny.
That’s what you humorless, wacky-conspiracy-minded people don’t get, because your misplaced self-importance has smothered whatever germ of a sense of humor you once had, long ago.
The more you guys post, the more you prove this. And demonstrate your hysterical (both senses of the word) lack of perspective on real threats facing our nation. Your tenuous grasp of reality. The pedantic, extraneous overuse of $2 words (often incorrectly) is merely a chuckle-icious bonus.
Some mendacious loofah-abuser makes a call to arms on AM radio over a faux issue and lock-step, you all clutch your pearls in righteous indignation and hyperventilate. Then like clockwork, herds of you swarm teh internets spilling your poorly-though bile, boasting of your independent-mindedness and patriotism throughout, to parrot these erroneous bullet-points.

No. I don’t think Mexico will attack the US. I also don’t think that Germany would attack Poland.

You can not rationally support your positions so you fly off and attack a strawman that you can fight.

I *never* supported, bubya Bush, The war in Iraq, Rush Limbagh, torture, China holding the Olympics,tax cuts, or a whole slew of things that you claim I’m supporting.

You are simply a close minded person who blocks out all facts in their quest to be ‘right’.

You and your type are the greatest threat to America. Just the same as the ditto heads you try and shut down debate with personal attacks. When making them you feel free to use them all over with regard to the target. It never bothers you to bring in erroneous information as long as it adds to the volume of talk. Facts on the issue at hand or people you are talking to are unnecessary.

Early in it’s history Mexico went from a republic to a central government. Those who fled the new centrally appointed Mexican government went to Texas and declared independence. After about 2 years Texas was a defacto nation.
But Still considered a ROUGE PROVENCE, much similar to Taiwan and China.

Texas remained independent for approximately ten years. At that point it asked the United States for statehood.

Mexico though this in rather bad taste by the US since all of the maps the Mexican drew of their country included the ROGUE PROVENCE. Well of course Mexico took this as an act of war.

How could those dastardly Americans claim the government of Texas wanted to be annexed. So Mexico declared War on the United States.

Actually diplomatic talks staved off war for a while but the government of Mexico changed 4 times in that year.

The us basically baited the Mexicans to attack the main part of Texas and the Mexicans went for it.

Mexico then preceded to loose every major military battle even when in superior numbers.

I guess that is what adds to the humor of the redrawn map. Thousands of dead Mexicans. Oh wait that wasn’t the joke?

When the war ended the US paid for all of the land from Texas westwards. All Mexican citizens were given the change to become American citizens. Mexican Debts from before the war were also forgiven.

Of course that wasn’t actually Mexican land since most of it in reality belonged to Native Americans. Oh wait was THAT the joke! I get it the US was stupid enough to pay an Imperial power for lands it dodn’t actually OWN
HA HA. Oh wait.

Which part is the funny one? The thousands of dead mexicans, The native American land being sold to America by Mexico or the fact that US Gave back some of the land it took and worked out a fair deal to the unstable Mexican government unable to defend any of the land in the first place, much less after declaring war and losing.

It’s somewhat ironic for you to call out someone on ad hominem attacks and then you go on to call him close-minded, call him the greatest threat to America. Very ironic but not unexpected.

The point remains that Absolut simply made an ad. Whether or not it’s funny, is a matter of taste. Now, Skyy overreacted like many people on this thread and responded with an alarmist and dishonest patriotism. Lighten up.

When TechGuy called him closed minded, I don’t think it was an ad hominem attack, I think it was just statement of the truth. His bias becomes obvious when discussions begin about one particular subject, then all of a sudden individuals are being questioned about their service to their country etc.

Once again, there is a history and movement behind the ad which Absolut tried to tap into. They ran the risk of inflaming a response from Americans, which they should have known, and it happened. This isn’t an ad made purely out of jest, albeit the ridiculousness of it makes it amusing. I don’t think Absolut was appealing to the Mexican masses by making the ad ridiculous however.

Absolut purposely made a controversial and provocative ad, hoping to tap into the Mexican nationalism. They got burned for it. Why are people giving them a pass?

Skyy, and company in themselves ran a risk by taking advantage of an opportunity to denounce the Absolut ads. If it works out for them, great, if not, great…however Carey’s obviously political reasoning behind posting this here just doesn’t substantiate a Consumerist post…and the individuals like Trai and Seph who have used this Consumerist article as a platform to push forth their own brand of rhetoric should be ashamed of themselves.

More personal attacks Trai? Are you going to keep questioning people’s service? Are you going to keep acting like a stalker and read people’s profiles to supposedly get information about them?

It is humorous to me because my profile has no information whatsoever, but you somehow concluded that I support the war, and haven’t partaken in military recruitment. How convenience for you. But…that’s weird.

All you’ve done is attack personally here, on a subject that wasn’t even originally intended to be discussed.

Have some decency and respect, although from the looks of your posts, neither are attributes you would be proud of possessing.

Also, may I point out that your denunciation of “$2 words” is hidden in the midst of about $300 worth of circumlocution and thesaurus generated prose.

I’m calling him closed minded because I have seen him be close minded.

Blind adherence to a view point without supporting facts is the greatest threat to America. Without people being willing to honestly and openly argue their point the nation discourse will become nothing more than 15 second sounds bites.

Message boards like this allow people to make attacks and spout unsupported issues then run to the next issue if things get difficult.

Skyy actually had the much smarter response.

There is a funny thing about offensive humor. When someone else doesn’t ‘get it’ they are told to ‘lighten up.’

You when a joke is told that can be offensive you typically need to put it in context.

For instance.
Imagine a picture of a hairy middle aged man with a few extra pounds wearing a sexy womens underwear and a dress. Thats a funny image.

Now why is that funny?

Societal norms make it so. Women can dress like men without any such humorous connotation.

That is the crux of the joke. Women clothing is some how inherently silly and thus it’s humorous for a man to dress like a woman.

It is okay to laugh at this. The image is humorous but it is indeed sexist. you can tell an offended person to get over it but you shouldn’t deny they root of the humor.

Now for context. If the whole joke was the image of the man that’s pretty offensive.

Now lets say the man is dressed up like that for some OTHER humorous purpose. Like he is trying to sneak into the all girls school to retrieve a poorly written love letter.

In this case the initial offensive imagery is still there but it is portrayed in as part of a wider joke. Thus idea of womens clothing being degrading is secondary, but part of, the humor. I love Dave Chappel for his ability to do this on a variety of levels.

I don’t get the wider joke. I don’t see the context that the absolut ad was put in to make it more anything more than a crass play on nationalism.

I’ve only seen one person here explain how the original ad had any humor and place the context.

So I am perfectly willing to have an open discussion. My mind isn’t set in stone over this ad or the press release but only one person has made an argument so far on why it’s funny.

A better example is, a child kicks a vastly larger person in the shins, causing him to howl and hop on one foot in annoyance.
Funny: Chaplin’s tramp thru Macauly Culkin. Comic gold, for centuries.

Now picture a home invader launching a contraption delivering a grievous blow to a pubertal boy’s groin, then setting his hair on fire. With a blowtorch.
Ha ha ha.
Wait. No, that’s sick.

Why? Adults/bigger people have power. Role reversals are funny. The powerful losing to the powerless in an exaggerated fashion is funny.

A continent-striding superpower “attacked” by a “movement” consisting of several dozen ironic, Hispanic undergrads (and a few irony-free Hispanics not in on the joke) taunting blue-haired nativists for laughs is funny. In the same way that the Home Alone kid giving Joe Pesci a groin-kick produces laffs.

(Ahem) I feel so dirty having to explain in such painful detail a basic comedy setup to an audience so lacking humor.

I hope that you’re all proud. Ye gods, it’s worse than trying to teach a severely autistic boy how to play Hamlet – and play well – at the Globe Theater.

Anyone who seriously thinks that if Mexico launched an all-out assault on our southern flank, we’d need more that the San Diego SWAT team and maybe that county’s National Guard (pre-Fiasco, ‘natch) to slap them down needs their heads examined. At least, they’ve lost all credibility.
Gentle readers, you know who I refer to.

They’re in the same basket as those who think the UN is going to create a vast north/south highway thru the US so… So… Well, I’m unclear on that. But I hear we should be deathly (!) afraid when (when!!) it happens. Or Grays running the US gov’t from Truman onward. They’ve voluntarily exited the shores of rationality, and we’ll kindly wave their passing.

@Trai_Dep:
So it’s funny because you believe mexio to be pathetic. Mexico, a mere child compared to the manly United States.

It’s all context driven. You stated that Mexico is SO inferior in this case the context is that it’s comical that they could ever consider such a measure.

Think through your arguments.

This actually refers to a war that DID happen where thousands of Mexicans died. You are arguing that the Mexican American war was a little argument equivilient to a kid hitting Joe Peschi in the balls.

You did actually explain why people would find this funny. Thank you for taking the time to explain.

We could learn from them. A large chunk of our lavish military spending (more than the next top ten countries combined – wrap your head around that, won’t you?) could better be used for personal and public infrastructure, or reducing our ruinous debt, which is infinitely more rational. And humane.

Are you F’ing kidding me? If you cannot see the spokesperson’s tongue planted firmly in cheek as he reads this, then I don’t know what to tell you.

“â€œDonâ€™t get me started on the Gadsden Purchase,â€ continues Karraker. â€œI think the folks in Tucson and Yuma would be rubbed the wrong way if they hear this landmark deal was somehow nullified as suggested by Absolut, a Swedish-owned brand.â€”

That’s part of the press release that Carey left out (and didn’t link to). It was not a serious response by Skyy. I can’t believe that someone working for Gawker could be so tone deaf to a playful snarky response to a competitor. This latest post is just the most recent example of why I avoid the Consumerist on the weekends.

@Techguy1138: If you put the joke in the context that it was meant for: for Mexicans in a Mexican ad, it is definitely funny.

We know we lost the war and a big chunk of Mexico in the process but the great majority of us Mexicans don’t give a care. Personally, I believe that Texas (which is where I live now) along with California, etc are better off being in the US. Having said that, the ad was funny, nevertheless.

I think it’s quite immature, this whole “buy american” marketing attempt by Skyy Vodka to generate new consumers out of what is an interpretative “fantasy” ad campaign intended for non American market. Also,how is it that the country of Mexico, and the topic of our shared history in this case, suddenly becomes synonymous with illegal immigration or an “enemie” anti-american issues? this has been irresponsibly condoned by the spirits giant (more prevalent on other forums discussing this pr release). Skyy Vodka is Skyy Spirits LLC, its parent company is Italy’s Gruppo Campari. America’s S.F. based Skyy Spirits markets and supplies US consumers its internationally acclaimed spirits portfolio on a daily basis, consumers are buying Skyy products imported from France, Italy, Japan, Ireland, and Mexico…. They should’ve taken an equally global positioning in this instance as they have in business. Everyone always wants to knock Absolut, they are the industry’s giant, and outselling Skyy by hundreds of millions of cases. I wonder how Skyy might comment on the other “In an Absolut World” fantasy ads, ie; one depicting a couple where the male is pregnant, “For Immediate Release: Skyy launches Natural Infusions, challenges competitor’s unatural human mutation tactics to breed next gen customers…”

I believe the majority of the people here said they didn’t care about the first ad, so you should probably adjust your ideas about what “80% of Americans” are thinking. You can start by turning off the talk radio.

In related news, some people have absolutely no sense for tongue-in-cheek humor.

@Carey: You didn’t “separate the politics from the advertising.” Consumerist displayed the Absolut ad and asked if it was “cheeky.” In your world, something that might offend people from the US in general, and those descended from citizens of the independant republic of Texas in particular might be “cheeky,” but you won’t link to the full text of a press release from a rival company because suddenly you think supporting constrained borders is offensive.

Consumerist “had no problem” with the ad showing constrained US borders. Why does Consumerist have a problem with this press release? I am left, honestly, staring at a screen where you specifically tell me that Consumerist is okay with this kind of “drivel” as long as it is only pointed at people from the United States.

Don’t worry, I’ll keep putting on my uniform and protect your freedom of speech, and I’ll keep making sure your borders don’t actually get overrun, but I’ll stop linking people I know to your articles. This post shows that Consumerist shows the same disdain for its customers as so many other businesses. Best Buy may profile customers with stupid names, Consumerist “feels dirty” if someone sides with Texas on joining the Union.

I’m not going to send you an EECB, but I’m going to ask every Marine I know to have every Marine they know write all of your advertisers and tell them how we feel about your anti-American drivel.

uhhh and why wouldn’t you link to their add? They are in the right here, hello!? These are our borders, end of story. If they want them back, declare war, otherwise any ad that’s anti-established borders is a piece of shit as far as I’m concerned and I will never buy absolute ever again

I like it how Carey runs and hides with his feet up his @$$. Pulling a CreativeLabs on us, oh upholder of anti-US ‘truth’? Retract your statement of race the wrath of your own EECB-obsessed readership. Oh, I fogot, your God-like Highness is immune to PR mistakes.

Wake up: this is a helluva mistake, and I registered just to tell you so. Whad’ya bet you delete this?

I salute Skyy. I tossed the Absolut vodka that I had in my liquor cabinet in protest. I’ll definately buy Skyy now. I’m arranging a big function for my company, and I will make sure that Absolut is not served, only Skyy and other liquors that are not made by Rico Pernod.

What is tasteless is Absolut’s ad, and the corporations idiocy in believing that consumers would put up with it. Winston Chruchill was spot on when he referred to Sweden as that cowardly little country, due to their selling iron ore and other materials to the Nazis during WWII, and helping the Nazi war machine going strong. It’s very telling that Sweden puts money before what is right. It was very insulting to me as an indgigenous person. The Spanish committed genocide against the indigenous of what is now called Latin America, and they also created the trans-Atlantic slave trade.. their descendents, in Mexico like to pretend otherwise, as well as to promote things like the US southwest belonging to them. The facts are that it belonged to the indigenous peoples, not Mexico.. I am offended by their attempt to exploit my people’s history.